He’s done it before.  Pun-intended rapper Sage Francis employed Will Oldham in 2005 to help out on the song “Sea Lion.” An unlikely duo? Perhaps. But nowadays indie rappers and rockers are slowly becoming BFFs.

For his forthcoming album, Li(f)e, Sage Franis enlisted Modest Mouse and Iron & Wine producer Brian Deck and Califone’s Tim Rutili to act as a backing band for the record, and each song has been touched by a different type of indie rocker. Here’s a track list:

1 Little Houdini (written by Sage Francis and Jason Lytle)
2 Three Sheets to the Wind (written by Sage Francis and Chris Walla)
3 I Was Zero (written by Sage Francis, Richard Terfry, Brian Deck, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Gordon Patriarca)
4 Slow Man (written by Sage Francis, Joey Burns, and John Convertino)
5 Diamonds and Pearls (written by Sage Francis, Thomas Hagerman, Shawn Gilbert, Jeanie Schroder, and Nicholas Iurata)
6 Polterzeitgeist (written by Sage Francis, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Brian Deck)
7 The Baby Stays (written by Sage Francis and Tim Rutili)
8 16 Years (written by Sage Francis, Kurt Read, Brian Deck, Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, and Gordon Patriarca)
9 Worry Not (written by Sage Francis and Tim Fite)
10 London Bridge (written by Sage Francis & Chris Walla)
11 Love The Lie (written by Sage Francis & Mark Linkous)
12 The Best of Times (written by Sage Francis & Yann Tiersen)

 Li(f)e is said to be Sage’s critique of organized religion, due out May 11.  

Ashley Thompson

Currently listening to “Team” by Bon Iver